Class of ’57
September 2010

Welcome to FALL. It happened all of a sudden around here. I went to the State Fair on a Monday and it was in the 90s with humidity almost as bad—by Thursday I needed a jacket! That is Minnesota!

The trees are just beginning to have a tinge of color—we have had so much rain—which is a good thing. I have not had to water the lawn. Hooray!

Last Saturday I went to Gustavus for Class Agents’ Day. (That is not what they call it anymore, but that is what I call it.) It was a nice day—the sun was shining—the valley was beautiful as always. No changing colors though. What I really learned was how un-technical I am!!! The younger classes keep up with Facebook and twitter. Half of us don’t even have email!! Ha! The class of 2010 has 12 class agents. They have already written two letters—probably three by now! I will never keep up at that rate.

Nancy Reiter Grimes was out of town, but I did try to take good notes. (She is much better at it!) Alumni Director, Randall Stuckey ’83 started the meeting. He said they are trying to keep Gustavus affordable which is a tough thing to do in these economic times. Next Vice President for Advancement, Tom Young ’88, talked about what is going on at Gustavus. Ground has been broken for a new building which, when completed, will house five different areas of learning. (I won’t list them because I will get it wrong for sure.) When it is finished, a new Mall will be constructed from the Chapel to the Arboretum. He envisions it holding maybe a reflecting pool that will have water in the summer months and turn to ice in the winter. Maybe he envisions skaters???

Much was said about the “New Brand” which in essence is “Make Your Life Count”. Of course, they want our help in recruiting the best students and the best faculty around. Another group that is asked to help with the recruiting process is the “Association of Congregations.” If your church is not a member, you might look into helping it become one. Our church belongs and it is a good recruiting tool.

President Jack Ohle was up next. He was asked about numbers and said that there are about 25,996 or so alumni and approximately 3,000 students and faculty on campus. My, how things have changed since our time!

Next year will be the Sesquicentennial of the college. By that time the new building will be finished at a cost of three million dollars. That is one of the things our $$$ will go to, I believe. He also told us that there have been new windows and carpeting in Sohre and Pittman Halls—and new elevators. Of course, those halls were not there when we were.

Next came the awards—first for participation. Owen Sammelson’s class of 1958 had 59%--Bernie Erling’s class of 1943 had 69%--and Paul Tiedemann’s class of 1960 had 77% participation. They all received big wall clocks as prizes. Our class was a bit behind—we had 39.7% participation. I don’t know about you, but I think we can do better. I am sure we will never have 100% participation, but it is a goal to strive for. Our total $$$ amount is not so good either. Let’s aim a little higher—OK??

Paul Batz, class of ’85, who is a motivational speaker, gave a great pep-talk. He has two children currently at Gustavus and he showed us his Minnesota car license plate—it says “GACDADY.” I guess he is a Gustie thru and thru.

Did you know that the Annual Fund was started back when we were at school in 1954? We discussed those beginnings and just how people stay in touch now. (That is when I really knew I was not tech savvy!) We used to have Phonorama. Bernie Erling ’43 said he didn’t know it had ended. He calls each of his classmates anyhow. Ha! I remember Clem sitting here at this desk and he called until he reached each of you too. He was lousy at getting info out of you for my letter though! He wouldn’t let me call because I talked too long! I don’t know what if anything was decided about ways to keep in touch now.

I got a packet of classmate info in my book. Here it is: Gayla Manuel Clemons said that 2009 has been her “surgical year.” She had a knee replacement, great toe surgery, quadruple bypass heart surgery—she says she is applying for “extended warranties on body parts! Ha! She says she still loves her dogs the best.

Gayla, Ginny Field Cable and husband, Clyde, are going on a cruise to celebrate, but the part that told the rest of the story got cut off—I just held it up to the light and the end says “celebrate 75th birthdays.” A very good reason to celebrate I might add!

OK—that is it! Kind of hard to keep us up to date with one letter! Oh well—you can always email me with info you know—Nancy too. If you’d like your information to go to both of us and to the Alumni Office, you can email: 1957classofficers@gustavus.edu and all three will receive it.

I do have a bit of info to pass on. Nancy Reiter Grimes, Judy Lund Erdman, Beverly Bloomquist Todaro, Vada Peterson Carlson, Marcy Rhyne Herr, and I went out to Seattle this July. We met at Bev’s for dinner. She took us to Olympia to see the capitol complex. The next day we took off for Portland, Oregon where we stayed for a couple of nights. Then on to Ashland where we took in four plays—3 of them Shakespeare. It was marvelous. Never thought I would say that about Shakespeare! While we were gone we visited Mount St. Helen’s and also Crater Lake. Both were awesome in different ways. The food was marvelous too—a different ethnic fare every night! Tough to get back to reality.

Well, that is all I have to say. Guess it was quite a bit. I hope we will have more news from you guys for the next letter. I do have a few more trips to Gustavus planned in the near future. I will save that for a later date.

Campus News

GLA Membership

All of us remember the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library. It was a place for study and finding a “coffee date.” But, in the 21st century, it has become much more. It is a technology-rich laboratory for learning and a storehouse of culture and recorded knowledge. It must constantly be strengthened to ensure excellence in education. The Gustavus Library Associates (GLA) provides financial support for the library and a program of events to its members. Join this year and immediately make a difference. Whatever membership gift level you choose, 100% goes directly to the library’s acquisition budget. Join today at www.gustavus.edu/GLA!!!

Nobel Conference

What is Good Food? Join us on October 5 & 6, 2010, for Nobel Conference® 46, Making Food Good, as we explore the many levels of this question and hear answers from our seven distinguished panelists. We will consider the ways in which varied and various conceptions of goodness intersect with, challenge, and are challenged by each other. We will consider contemporary food issues like community food security; the local foods movement; food crops as fuel crops; school lunches; genetic modification of food plants and animals; molecular gastronomy; and protecting genetic diversity of plants and animals. You can order tickets online at gustavustickets.com.

150th Anniversary Commemorative Alumni Directory

The Gustavus Alumni Association is bringing together about 25,000 Gusties to celebrate the College’s 150th anniversary. In partnership with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI), Gustavus will produce the 150th Anniversary Commemorative Alumni Directory. Over the next couple of months, PCI will be contacting Gustavus alumni via phone, mail, and e-mail to request that you update your information. We know you don’t want to provide your information to just anyone, so we want you to be aware of this project and encourage your participation. For more information, call the Office of Alumni Relations at 800-487-8437. “Come on You Gusties” Breakfast

Once a month, Gusties gather for coffee, breakfast, and great conversation along with a campus speaker. All Gusties are welcomed and invited to the breakfast, third Wednesday of the month, 8-9:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, Minneapolis-Park Place, 1500 Park Place Boulevard. Cost is $10 at the door. October’s speaker is Dr. Lisa Heldke on the topic of Nobel.